Poker & The Machine

[matt674]

I don't particularly object to automatic shufflers but I also don't particularly see the point.

I'd have had you down as being someone who would have welcomed the automatic shufflers, then there is more chance of you playing at least one hand during each hour..............

 

[Jon MW]

I haven't seen them but I assume the computerised poker tables use touch screen technology?

 or do you have keypads?

[Paullie_D]

The PokerPro 'tables' in Newcastle had touch screens.

You had to cup your hand over your (on-screen) cards to make the corners lift up..which was kind of nifty.

I did hear one fella comment that even with that he could easily look over and see another guys cards (perhaps he had small hands!).

If the PokerPro people ever listen to what real live players/users want they could make the next version a much better experience.

Oh...and they need drinks-holders too.

[snoopy1239]

I played on several computerised tables at the ICE show at Earls Court last year. absolutely hated it.

watching players handle chips and cards gives you extra information.
it takes extra time to look at the action on the screen, then look up to see the player the action is on, by which time you've missed any info going and the action has moved on.
I like poker chips
I like cards

I don't particularly object to automatic shufflers but I also don't particularly see the point. assuming we're talking about tywo pack of cards in use, one in the shuffler and one in play, It might shave a second or two off a hand which might add one hand to an hour level but I would think there was more than that much variance between dealers anyway

if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The point of the automatic shuffler is that it's quicker. I don't know if you've played in Vegas, but as a cash player, you certainly know the difference when you come home and play at a UK casino. It's enough to put me off live cash in this country and stick to online.

I'm not a fan of the 'If it ain't broke...' phrase. I prefer, 'It might not be broken, but we can still make it better.'

[AdamM]

shimmy, three riffles, one cut, another rifle, final cut, 15 secs max

Exactly...not 1 second per hand gained then...that 15 seconds a hand adds up to a lot more hands an hour whether tournament or cash

with the automatic shuffler the dealer still has to gather cards up, put them in the shufler, take cards out of the shuffler and cut them. you're not saving 15 secs, more like 5

[Ironside]

some of the dealers i have seen more like 2 minutes

[AdamM]

that's pretty bad. 2 minutes shuffling? really?
I deal 33 hands an hour on average and a good house dealer usually puts in an extra 2 or 3 on that. so thats under 2 minutes including the hand being played. that's tournament rather than cash.

[londonpokergirl]

I was talking to a cardroom manager in vegas about the automatic shufflers and another reason they brought them into the cardroom was because of RSI

Some cardrooms staff were off ill or claiming for Arthritis due to shuffling 12hour shifts and thought it would be a good investment

I actually liked them the decks seemed very random, although they did seem to need adjustments to the machine every few minutes , but you do seem to get more hands in per hour

I deal 38 hands an hour was timed at sheffield in a cash game dealing

[AdamM]

38, lightning

can see the RSI argument

[londonpokergirl]

38, lightning

can see the RSI argument

yea me too and u know once somebody has complained they have to do something about it or face a lawsuit

[snoopy1239]

shimmy, three riffles, one cut, another rifle, final cut, 15 secs max

Exactly...not 1 second per hand gained then...that 15 seconds a hand adds up to a lot more hands an hour whether tournament or cash

with the automatic shuffler the dealer still has to gather cards up, put them in the shufler, take cards out of the shuffler and cut them. you're not saving 15 secs, more like 5

It takes longer than 15 secs for a dealer to shimmy the cards, shuffle and then cut the pack. Also, you have to remember that not all dealers are as quick as you.

[AdamM]

ok, 20 seconds max.

[Jon MW]

The other factor then is that touch screen technology will break and will require more maintenance.

Obviously good, well built touch screen equipment will last longer than a cheap, thrown together cowboy job - but they will break. I got extremely frustrated at one of the treadmills in my gym yesterday because when I pressed a 6 - a 9 came up (and so on and so forth), can you imagine the problem if something similar happened on a computerised poker table?

[Paullie_D]

The other factor then is that touch screen technology will break and will require more maintenance.

Obviously good, well built touch screen equipment will last longer than a cheap, thrown together cowboy job - but they will break. I got extremely frustrated at one of the treadmills in my gym yesterday because when I pressed a 6 - a 9 came up (and so on and so forth), can you imagine the problem if something similar happened on a computerised poker table?

Yes, more maintenance but have you seen the state of some real tables!? A quick wipe with Glass cleaner on the screen is easier than brushing off the felt. Also, since, I'd imagine, each 'seat' position is a module (plug & play), you could just switch it out if went completely t*ts up. With a real table, you have to refelt when disaster strikes and that ain't cheap.

Anyway, the PokerPro didn't use numbers as such. They were for cash only so you tapped a symbol to add 25p at a time (there were others for £1/£5 and an All-in)

One tap = £0.25, Two taps = £0.50 etc. the so on. The same for the £1£5 options.  So to bet £8.50, you tapped the £5 once, £1 three times and £0.25 twice.

Worked quite well once you got used to it. Also, it was pretty funny to watch other players faces as you could sort of string bet by tapping the screen slowly, adding more and more cash to your bet.